Speak knightly truth, Sir Baron, and
own that this opposition is in verity from distaste to a stepfather's
rule."
"I own that I will not brook such rule," said Ebbo; "nor do I know
what we have done to deserve that it should be thrust on us. You
have never blamed Friedel, at least; and verily, uncle, my mother's
eye will lead me where a stranger's hand shall never drive me. Did I
even think she had for this man a quarter of the love she bears to my
dead father, I would strive for endurance; but in good sooth we found
her in tears, praying us to guard her from him. I may be a boy, but
I am man enough to prevent her from being coerced."
"Was this so, Friedel?" asked Master Gottfried, moved more than by
all that had gone before. "Ach, I thought ye all wiser. And spake
she not of Sir Kasimir's offers?--Interest with the Romish king?--
Yea, and a grant of nobility and arms to this house, so as to fill
the blank in your scutcheon?"
"My father never asked if she were noble," said Ebbo. "Nor will I
barter her for a cantle of a shield.
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